2018 Chrysler 300

Chrysler is a brand that used to have an extensive range of vehicles. The brand was founded in 1925 and went through many mergers through time. Nowadays, Chrysler is the eleventh largest automobile manufacturer worldwide. Lately they are focusing on fewer models, which grants them extra time and effort to perfect the models they do release. One of those, and a highly anticipated one too, is the 2018 Chrysler 300.

After their successful release of the stylish minivan or family wagon with seven seats, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, this luxury sedan is the best newcomer. This car first went on sale in 2004 and got a second generation redesign in 2011. Then, in 2015 it got a nice few upgrades and now the third generation waits in line for release already. Curious about the specifications of this new luxurious sedan? Read the full preview.
(*images of the 2016 Chrysler 300 are shown)

Exterior design

Unfortunately, there is very little information about the 2018 Chrysler 300 at the moment of writing. There haven’t even been made spyshots of the car making a test drive. What we do know is that Chrysler’s Design Executive Ralph Gilles spoke about the third generation 300 back in 2014. It is not a lot to go by, but might give a global indication of what the 300 looks like.

Anyway, the 300 has always had a unique appearance ever since its 2004 release. The basic ambition of Chrysler is to continue this for the 2018 Chrysler 300. Ralph Gilles repeatedly stated that that standing out can come in any shape or form. However, the 300’s silhouette will retain the familiar remarkable one that we know. That does not mean other changes won’t be made. For example, the elongating or widening of the body to fit the new chassis that we keep hearing speculations about.

We also expect the 2018 Chrysler 300 to retain its most oustanding detail: its nose. The 300 nose is noteworthy in the sense that the large grille sits on a large vertical piece of body metal. Also, the hood is very straight and horizontal, making the fascia seem blocky. In other words, the 300 front is like the face of the classic Rolls Royce, and will most likely remain that way.

Interior design

Although Chrysler’s Design Executive didn’t state anything about the 300’s interior, we can make some predictions about it. The latest Chrysler 200 got a complete redesign in 2015 and experience learns that car brands like to recycle successful interior styling cues. Of course, the Chrysler 200 is a car that sits in a lower price range than the 300, so expect some brand new details too. The 2015 Chrysler 200 interior seems a bit too basic to be carried over completely to the 300. The 2016 Chrysler 300 interior also won’t do as a carry-over. The great exterior needs an interior to match it, and the current one is just not sleek enough.

We are sure that the upholstery and dashboard materials will be much more premium. Light or dark wooden dashboard and door panel inserts seem likely, as are various leather seating options. The infotainment screen is likely bigger and will protrude instead of being sunk in the centre console. The latter is more a styling cue of course, but a definite expectation since a protruding infotainment screen lifts the whole interior. We also expect big changes on the lower part of the centre console, such as one rotary knob to replace the amount of buttons on there. The modern gear shifting rotary knob will definitely make its return on the 300.

Sound system

The car’s current standard audio system is by BeatsAudio. It features ten premium speakers, a subwoofer and amplifier. The optional sound system, and standard on the highest trim, is by Harman Kardon. This system features 19 speakers, including an amplifier. We expect Chrysler to renew these cooperations for the 2018 model, possibly with better audio specifications. The clean interior of the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Italian made sedan features such a premium Harman Kardon system just perfect for this job.

Leather steering-wheel, heated and ventilated seats and ambient lighting are some likely options on the 2018 Chrysler 300. The premium stitching seen on the most recent 300 model will certainly be carried over.

Engine specs

Even bigger unknown territory is found under the hood. The specific available powertrains of the 2018 Chrysler 300 are a big mystery at the time of writing. Obviously we know from history that we can expect a V6 and V8 engine, but in what form or with which features, we don’t have a clue. We are not even sure if Chrysler will create a new engine or borrow a more powerful one from another car manufacturer. We predict that Chrysler is aspiring to have an engine with more power output and better fuel efficiency. That’s because the last new engines date from 2011. Pro-active car development asks for some renewal in that department after seven years.

Likely options are the improving of current V6 and V8 engines, a brand new creation or a co-operational engine option with another car manufacturer from the Chrysler Group.

At the launch of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne dropped a few words about the 2018 Chrysler 300. He stated that they are experimenting with the 300 chassis and hinted at a possible transition from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive. We are not sure how likely it is that front wheel drive makes the end product, we hope Chrysler realizes that the rear wheel drive is one of the features that makes the 300 so special.

In our wildest dreams the 2018 Chrysler 300 will feature Dodge’s V8 HellCat engine. This 6.2 liter, 707 horsepower engine would be a total treat to find in this car. If Chrysler aspires to make the 2018 300 a real game changer then the HellCat is the way to go. Since the recently released best off-road SUV 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk might also receive the HellCat, the possibility that the 300 will get it too, has at least increased.

Tech specs

The technological features might make a big impact. Car software development is at a peak, so we expect Chrysler to go all the way with that. Considering the car’s price range we expect many standard safety features, such as Lane Keeping Assist and Autonomous Braking. We also expect adaptive cruise control, so that the car can really keep up in the semi-autonomous segment.

The infotainment system will probably come standard with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We also expect functions like voice control navigation, Autonomous Emergency Call and Uconnect Access.

Price, reveal and release date

So little is known about the 2018 Chrysler 300, even the price is difficult to estimate. Of course, we know that the current 300 starts at $32,260 with the highest trim starting at $42,690, but that is all we have to go on. When more details about the 2018 Chrysler 300 get released, we immediately update this article and make our expectations.

Usually, 2018 models go on sale halfway or at the end of 2017. With the current state of development we expect this car to go on sale somewhere in the summer of 2018. The revealing of the car will probably take place at an Auto Show in the third or fourth quarter of 2017.

2018 Chrysler 300 was last modified: March 7th, 2017 by Gabriel Forest

Leave a Reply

I've started to write for Cars2018.com in January 2016. I've been a car fan since my younger years. Grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to the west coast after my graduation. My weak spot is electric vehicles and upcoming green alternatives like hydrogen vehicles. My favorite classic cars are the 1967 Shelby GT500 and the 1983 Chevrolet El Camino. Any questions or suggestions, contact me: gabriel@cars2018.comPlease support our website by sharing our articles below, thanks in advance!